Wheelchair tennis plans key event in Mission Viejo

Nov. 25, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Brad Parks of San Clemente, shown here when shortly after his 2010 introduction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, will be tournament chair when Mission Viejo hosts the 2013 world championships for Wheelchair Tennis' Doubles. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Brad Parks of San Clemente, shown here when shortly after his 2010 introduction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, will be tournament chair when Mission Viejo hosts the 2013 world championships for Wheelchair Tennis' Doubles.MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

MISSION VIEJO – Brad Parks first whacked a tennis ball nearly 40 years ago, remarkable only because Parks was sitting in his wheelchair at the time.

Now, Parks, of San Clemente, is planning to be on hand as the sport he helped to invent – wheelchair tennis – stages a key event in South County. The International Tennis Federation Master Series Wheelchair Doubles World Championship is set to be held next year (Nov. 7-11) in Mission Viejo, the first time it will be held in the United States, said Steve Bell, manager of community services in Mission Viejo.

"Just a quick mail to let you know that the Committee decided to accept the bid for the Doubles Masters from the city of Mission Viejo! Congratulations. We will let you know officially and will talk more next week," the email read.

For as long as the wheelchair doubles world championship has existed, it has been held in Europe. But the plan now is to hold the event in Mission Viejo in 2013 and 2014. The Junior Wheelchair Champ Americas event has been held in Mission Viejo since 2006. Bell said the event attracts players from the U.S., Canada, and South and Central America.

Bringing the adult event to Mission Viejo is an effort to boost exposure of wheelchair tennis.

"We're hoping to introduce the sport to the United States and build up enthusiasm," Bell said.

"In Europe, wheelchair tennis is huge."

The move comes three months after the city completed a $5 million renovation of the Marguerite Tennis Pavilion, expanding the center and raising it to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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